Saturday, April 28, 2012

Beautiful Taplejung or Fungling Bazaar

Taplejung Bazar is located on the edge of th e mid-land and is situated on hillock of 1850 meter high from the mean sea level and it takes 5 to 6 days to walk on foot to reach Taplejung from Dharan Bazar located in the eastern Terai region of Nepal. Near Taplejung one can enjoy the beauty of lake called Jimiri. From Taplejung after replenishing the food stuff one can follow Tamur river crossing either banks for many times for days together in 50 kms long walk. After Badanda there is no village before Wolangchung gola. If one is interested with snow glacier he can try to go to last village Yagma i.e. 18 kms. Form there the northern face of Kanchenjunga is seen. From Yagma visitors can come back 18 kms south and reach Ghunsa and then 18 kms which is right at the base of Kanchenjunga. In the trek trekkers can engjoy the nature and it will take approximately one month from pashupati to back to Kathmandu by Plane.

If visitors or trekkers want to go westerly direction then again from Taplejung one can go along the bank of Mewa river and then Dongen village and follow Topkegola (40 kms.) there can see glacial lakes: Tin pokhari and Lam Pokhari. If it is summer one can try to come to Chainpur i.e. 45 kms after walking in wilderness.
Chianpur is beautiful place. After taking rest travelers can walk 12 kms and take the plane to Kathmandu from Tumlingtar. From Tumlingtar also following the western bank and going to Dingla and one can go to Jalang the last village following practically Arun river. On the trail many places will come like Mangtewa, Sedua, Sampung, Hatia, Chepua ect.From Biratnager also one can go via Tribenighat and Bhojpur and Dingle i.e. 75 kms walk and nearly 45 kms drive to Dharan and then Chatra.
If visitor is not interested to go to high altitude then Biratnagar to Dharan and Dhankuta 18 kms, Hile, 3 kms and following along then Arun river partly to Chainpur and then to fly back from the Tumlingtar.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Pathibhara Devi Temple

       One of the major attractions is the Pathibhara Devi Temple. This little known region attracts tourists seeking spiritual fulfilment and blessings from the powerful Pathibhara Devi. Hindus as well as Buddhists reach the temple for celebrations during special occasions. The trek to Pathibhara Devi (3794 m) combined with the natural and cultural experiences of the region make the visit a unique exhilarating experience. It takes a day to reach the temple on foot from Taplejung Bazaar. On the way to the temple one can find many species of rhododendron.

        The shrine of the Pathibhara Devi temple is located on a mountain at 3794 meters in the far east of Nepal. The temple is holy for Hindu's as well as Buddhists.
The goddesses Pathibhara is said to make dreams come true. The myth is that sheppards suddenly lost a lot of sheep in this area and that Pathibara appeared in their dreams. She promised that the sheep would return if they would offer a few sheep to her. And so they did.

       How to get therePathibhara lies in the junction of three VDCs: Tapethok, Limkhim and PhawaKhola VDCs at a 19 kilometeres distance from Taplejung Bazaar (Phungling). The journey to Pathibhara starts from Suketar Airport (2840 m) which is about 1.5 hours walk from phungling Bazaar. Pathibhara Devi is about 5–6 hours walk from Suketar.
Suketar is only STOL airstrip in Taplejung district and is connected to Kathmandu and Biratnagar by scheduled flights. From Suketar the Pathivara trial passes through Deurali, Ramitedanda, Chhatedhunga, Bhalugaunda, Phedi and finally reaches Pathibhara Devi temple. The trial offers food and lodging facilities. Basic accommodation facilities are also available for pilgrims near the shrine.
The best time to visit is from March to June and September to November.


        How to go to Pathibara Devi Temple To reach the Pathibara temple you have to walk for around 10 hours from Suketar. In Suketar is a small airport that can be reached from Kathmandu or Biratnagar.
A good idea is to visit Pathibara Devi temple in combination with the Limbu cultural heritage trekking or on your way to Kanchanjunga base camp.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

नववर्ष २०६९ को शुभकामना कार्यक्रम सम्पन्न

पाथीभरा खेवांङ यूवा क्लबले बैसाख २ गते शनिबार नववर्ष २०६९ को शुभकामना कार्यक्रम सफलताका साथ सम्पन्न भयो उक्त कार्यक्रममा प्रमुख अतिथी मा. सुर्यमान गुरुङ, अतिथीहरुमा मा. डम्बरधोज तुमबाम्फे, मा. पासांङ शेपा, चित्र गुप्त साँवा गाउका अग्रज डा. केदारनाथ दाहाल, हेमराज गौतम, नेत्रप्रसाद दाहाल, नारायण चौलागाई, कुमार गौतम, अमर तुम्याहाँङ साथमा गाउका बुबा आमा दाजु भाइ र यूवाहरु को सहभागी भएको थिए
प्रमुख अतिथी, अतिथिहरु कार्यक्रम समय भरि बसेर यूवाहरुलाइ उत्साहित, प्रोत्साहित प्रधान गर्नु भयको थियो
तेही कार्यक्रम भैरहेको बेला मा. पासांङ शेर्पा बाट breaking news को रुपमा Radio Tamor मा समाचार दिनु भएको थियो
उक्त कायक्रम गाउबिकास कार्यहरुमा नै केन्द्रित थियो
   
 खुशीको खबर
नववर्ष २०६९ को शुभकामना कार्यक्रममा संबिधान सभा सदस्य मा. पासांङ शेर्पाले संस्था तथा गाउ हुदै जिल्लाको को प्रचार प्रसार गर्नेका लागि website निर्माण गरिदिनु हुने भएको छ जसमा मा. पासांङ शेर्पा ज्युलाइ पाथीभरा खेवांङ यूवा क्लब हार्दिक आभार ब्यक्त गर्दछ
 नववर्ष २०६९ को शुभकामना कार्यक्रमका केहि दृश्यहरु 

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

शुभकामना

नव बर्ष २०६९ सालको शुभ अबसरमा देश बिदेशमा छरिएर रहनु भएका नेपाली दाजु भाई तथा दिदीबहिनीहरुमा एबम सम्पूर्ण जिल्ला बासीहरुमा सुख,शान्ति सम्रिद्दि तथा उत्तर उत्तर प्रगतिको हार्दिक मङगलमय शुभकामना ब्यक्त गर्दछौ

साथै सम्पूर्ण "खेवांङलाइ माया गर्ने सबैलाइ" २०६९ बैसाख २ गते दिनको ११ बजे आर आर क्याम्पसमा शुभकामाना आदानप्रदान तथा भितेपात्रो वितरण कार्यक्रममा सहभागी होइदिन हर्दिंक अनुरोध गर्दछ

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Expedition in Nepal : Mt. Kanchenjunga


Mt. Kanchenjunga main deserves world's third highest peak. It rises to 8586 meter above the sea level. Mt. Kanchenjunga Main lies in the far eastern part of Nepal.  George  Band, Joe Brown, Tony Streather of UK and Norman Hardie of New Zealand scaled Mt. Kanchenjunga first time on May 25, 1955 via South West Face. The position of this mountain lies on: Latitude: 270 42' 09" and     Longitude:  80 09' 25". There are two more Kanchenjunga peaks, which are as follows; Kanchenjunga (South) 8476 meter and Kanchenjunga 8476 meter. First Nepali Climber: Mr. Ang Phurba Sherpa topped Mt. Kanchenjunga Main on May 14, 1980. The aormal Ascent route is South West face and Caravan Route: Ktm-Taplejung-Khewang-Yamphudin-Cheram-BC. 214 climbers have  summited this peak up to December 2007.


Pathibhara

Pathibhara lies in the junction of three VDCs: Tapethok, Limkhim and PhawaKhola VDCs at a 19 kilometeres distance from Taplejung Bazaar (Phungling). The journey to Pathibhara starts from Suketar airport (2840 m) which is about 1.5 hours walk from phungling Bazaar. Pathibhara Devi is about 5-6 hours walk from Suketar.
Suketar is only STOL airstrip in Taplejung district and is connected to Kathmandu and Biratnagar by scheduled flights. From Suketar the Pathivara trial passes through Deurali, Ramitedanda, Chhatedhunga, Bhalugaunda, Phedi and finally reaches Pathibhara Devi temple. The trial offers food and lodging facilities. Basic accomodation facilities are also available for pilgrims near the shrine
Located above 19.4 km east of Phungling, the Devi at Pathibhara is said to have miraculous powers and is said to have answered her devotees' prayers. Story regarding the foundation of the temple has been passed to one generation to another generation. The story says that when shepherds once led their sheeps to the place where the temple lies today, hundreds of sheep disappeared as they were grazing. The distressed shepherds then had a dream in which the Goddess told where she resided and instructed them to carry out ritualistic sacrifices of sheep. When the sacrifice was offered and the temple and the statue was build, the lost sheep were said to have returned. The sheepherders then believed that to Goddess accepted animal sacrifices, which later made her known as Raktakali Pathibhara Devi too.
If visitors or trekkers want to go westerly direction then again from Taplejung one can go along the bank of Mewa river and then Dongen village and follow Topkegola (40 kms.) there can see glacial lakes: Tin pokhari and Lam Pokhari. If it is summer one can try to come to Chainpur i.e. 45 kms after walking in wilderness.

Goddess of Trust and Faith

Pathibhara Devi is considered as one of the Shakti Peeths. Worshippers from different part of Nepal and India flock the temple during special occasions, as it is believed that a pilgrimage to the temple ensures fulfilment of all that the pilgrim desires. The devotee of the Pathibhara also includes the Royal family of the Nepal. The pilgrims sacrifice animals and bring gold and silver as offerings to the Pathibhara Devi.
The best time to visit is from March to June and September to November.
Major Stops on Pathibhara Cultural Trial
Suketar - Deurali about 2 km
Deurali = Ramitedanda about 1.5 km
Ramitedada - Chatedhunga about 4.5 km
Chatedunga - Bhalugauda about 2.5 km
Bhalugauda = Phedi about 3 km
Phedi - Pathibhara Devi Temple about 2 km

Small Markets in the Trial

Deurali - Tea snacks and small lodges
Bhalugauda - Tea snacks and small lodges
Phedi - Tea snacks and Dharmasalas (moderate lodge for pilgrims)
Pathibhara Devi Temple - Dharmasala

About Taplejung District

 www.taplejungonline.com



Taplejung is one of the most beautiful areas in eastern Nepal with spectacular landscape, Himalayan peak of heights above 7000 m and a wide range of flora and fauna. Mt. Kanchanjunga (8586 m), the world's third largest peak lies in this region. In addition are 14 other peaks higher than 7,000 metres. The prime cultural attraction of Taplejung is the famous Pathibhara Temple, a center of Hindu and Buddhist faith. Pilgrims from different parts of Nepal and even some parts of India, visit to pay worship to Pathibhara Goddess. The continuous ding-dong of bells and fragrance of incense from the Pathibhara Temple conveys message of peace, harmony, tolerance and goodwill. 

Region : Eastern (Purwanchal)
Zone
: Mechi
District Area: 3,646 sq km (1407.70 sq mi)
District Density:
36.9 sq km (95.70 sq mi)
Time zone:
NPT (UTC+5:45))
Highest Peak:
Mt. Kanchenjunga, 8586m 
Population:
1, 34,698 (in 2001) Ethnic groups: Limbus, Tibetan, Sherpas, Rai, Gurung, Magars, Newars, Tamangs, Sunuwar
Literacy: female-30.6%; male-62.4% 
Weather:
Average temperature-11.30 Celsius, Minimum-0 degree Celsius, Maximum-30 degree Celsius, Average Rainfall-1440 mm

Economic occupations: 64.48% Agriculture. Livestock, cottage industry and trade are other occupations. Less than 5% in service sector.
Major Glaciers: Kanchenjunga, Kumbhakarna and Yalung 
Major River:
Tamor (rafting kayaking fishing) Kabeli(fishing) Ghunsa River(micro hydro electricity)
Accommodations: 67 lodges and 55 camp sites en route to Kanchenjunga and Pathibhara and home stay facilities at Khewang Mamankhe 
Access:
one hour by air from Kathmandu, 30mins on air from Biratnagar. 22 hours drive from Birtamod. 18 hrs from Panchthar and trek from Kanchenjunga. Private jeeps can also be arranged. Two days trekking from Basantpur. 
Entrance fee:
To Kanchenjunga Conservation Area: NRs. 1000 (must be bought prior to departure from Kathmandu)


There are several other places to see in Taplejung. One can hardly describe the exuberance and natural elegance of Timbu Pokhari (Pond), which borders the district with neighboring Panchthar. The redolence of blooming Padmachal, a local variety of flowers, is spellbounds trekkers, and stamps an unforgettable memory.

Alpine grassland, rocky out crops, dense temperate, subtropical forests, and no river valleys make up the region. Geographically speakingm, Taplejung occupies an area ranging from 670 meters to 8586 meters (Mt. Kanchanjunga ) above sea level. One of the major attraction that lies in this area is the Pathibhara Devi temple. This secret region attracts tourists seeking spiritual fulfilment and blessings from the powerfull Pathibhara Devi. Hindus as well as the Buddhists reach the temple for celebrations during special occasions. The trek to Pathibhara Devi (3794 m) combined with the natural and cultural experiences of the region make the visit a unique exhilarating experience. Rich with natural beauty, cultural diversity and numerous mountain ranges, Taplejung district holds a significant position among the tourist destinations of Nepal.


There are two ways to go to Taplejung. one is taking a flight to Suketar. but, it is seasonal. the flights are closed during Mansoon. as the smaller aircrafts with 10/15 capacity make flights, normally packed. the other way of going to Taplejung is by road. the Mechi Highway from Charali on East West highway to Illam-Phidim - Taplejung is metalled only upto Phidim and there onwards is gravel. the Koshi Highway from Dharan- Dhankuta- Basantapur is again metalled only upto Hile. however, Mechi Highway reaches to the district headquarters and if you take Koshi Highway, then have to trek from Basantapur. treking from Basantapur along the beautiful mountains full of varieties of vegetations, flora and fauna is definitely exicting and enjoyable. there are plenty of places on the way for simple lodging and fooding. best seasons to visit taplejung is during autumn and spring.
Villages Development Committes (VDC) in Taplejung District
Ambegudin
Ankhop
Chaksibote
Change
Dhungesaghu
Dokhu
Dummrise
Ekhabu
Hangdeva
Hangpang
Kalikhola
Khamlung
Khejenim
Khewang
Khokling
Lelep
Limbudin
Lingtep
Linkhim
Liwang
Mamangkhe
Nalbu
Nankholyang
Nidhuradin
Olangchung Gola
Paidang
Papung
Pedang
Phakumba
Phawakhola
Phulbari
Phungling
Phurumbu
Sadewa
Sangu
Santhakra
Sawa
Sawadin
Sawalakhu
Sikaicha
Sinam
Surumakhim
Tapethok
Tellok
Thechambu
Thinglabu
Thukima
Thumbedin
Tiringe
Yamfudin


Attractions:
  • Mountaineering & White River Rafting
    This area is specially suited for mountaineering and trekking and these along with pilgrimage tours are the main tourist attractions. Waterfalls, lakes and the Tamur River offer opportunities for white water rafting. The Milke Jajale ridge forms the border between Taplejung and Terathum and this area is known for its biological diversity including the world’s largest natural rhododendron forest with the highest number of rhododendron species for any place in the world.
  • Flora & Fauna
    Juniper and Himalayan Larch can be found in the forests in this area. With more than 1200 species of flowering plants, Taplejung is also rich in wildlife including the snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan musk deer and the Himalayan black bear.
  • Pathibhara Temple
    Pathibhara temple in Tapethoc VDC (19kms from Taplejung) is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. Pathibhara lies at an altitude of 3794 metres. An animist deity, it is believed that the devotee’s desires will be fulfilled with a sacrifice at the temple. The Pathibhara pilgrimage takes only three to four days with the best time to visit being March to June and September to November. Spectacular Kanchenjunga Range can also be observed.
  • Ancient Gompas
    The richness of the cultural heritage of Taplejung is reflected in the Buddhist gompas such as the 400 year old Diki Chhyoling gompa of Olangchung Gola which houses a life size Avalokiteshwara and has a butter lamp continuously burning since its construction. 12 prayer wheels outside the gompa spin as a small stream flows by.

    Getting Around:
  • Trans-boundary Tourism:
    Trans-boundary trekking which provides a completely different experience from the adjoining Sikkim biosphere reserve to the KCA via Chongpa La can be fully explored.
  • Tinjure Milke Jaljale Trail:
    Better known as the Rhododendron trail, the area spreads acroos Taplejung, Terathum and Sankhuwasabha districts. The trail can be visited from Basantpur (Dhankuta) to Kanchenjunga and vice-versa.
  • Limbu Heritage Trail:
    The Limbus are the dominant ethnic group in the lower regions of the conservation area. A new trekking route between Kabeli and Khaksewa offering unique experience of cultural and traditional lifestyle of the Limbus has been developed which offers beautiful panoramic view of the Terai and the Cardamom farm and thick forest lies between Kabeli and Khaksewa. The Limbus still enjoy their ‘Paddy dance’ during various occasions. They also offer accommodation at their homes and you get to discover the true culture of this unique area.

    About the area:
    The area is made up of alpine grass lands, rocky outcrops, dense temperate and sub-tropical forests, and low river valleys with the Kanchenjunga as its crown and is home to one of the original homelands of the indigenous Limbu people. Most practise integrated early animist religions. Agriculture, animal husbandry and tourism are the major means of livelihood for these people. In the higher altitudes, you can find Sherpa people where they arrived from Tibet more than four hundred years ago. These Sherpas have a distinct culture and tradition from those in Solukhumbu District in the Sagarmatha region. The icons of the cultural heritage are monasteries, chhortens, temples and prayer walls. And to add to the flavour, the festivals of all of these people living in harmony only serve to make the native culture livelier.